LIBERTY — The Liberty Museum & Arts Center will host its 15th annual Catskills Preservation and History Conference on Sunday Aug. 28, with the theme “The Catskills – Miami Beach Connection: The Hotels, The People and Their Architecture.”

Seven presentations are scheduled for the daylong event, which will begin with registration at 9:30 a.m.

Richman is a founding member of the Catskills Institute and the author of several books on Catskills tourism history.

Other presenters include Sullivan County Historian John Conway, who will introduce the long-standing connection between two of America’s premier vacation destinations; journalist, editor and author Barry Lewis; and photographer and author Marisa Scheinfeld, who will preview her soon-to-be-released book, “The Borscht Belt: Revisiting the Remains of America’s Jewish Vacationland.”

Architect Ross Padluck, author of the critically praised 2013 book, “Catskill Resorts: Lost Architecture of Paradise,” former resort owner Jeff Gold, and nationally known architects Victor and Robert Dadras complete the lineup of speakers.

At about 5 p.m., following the day’s final presentation, the museum will host a small reception celebrating the opening of its new exhibit, “Images of the Catskills,” during which it will present its fourth annual Catskills Preservation Award.

Registration for the conference is $45, which includes a light breakfast and lunch, as well as the reception. There is no charge for current members of the Liberty Museum & Arts Center.

This year’s conference will be preceded on Saturday evening by an interview with former Catskill hotel Big Band musicians and by the 12th annual Liberty Jazz Festival, “A Salute to the Catskill Resorts Big Band Musicians.” Saturday night activities begin at 6:30 p.m.

The Liberty Museum & Arts Center is located at 46 South Main St. in Liberty.

For more information, contact the Liberty Museum & Arts Center at 845-292-2394 or conference organizer Robert Dadras at rdadras@aol.com.

County's new chamber orchestra to perform

Thanks to a $10,000 matching grant from Sullivan County, Nesin Cultural Arts will administer the establishment of the first Sullivan County Chamber Orchestra.

The inaugural concert is scheduled for 7 p.m. Sept. 10 at the Eugene D. Nesin Theatre for the Performing Arts, 22 St. John St. in Monticello.

A special Meet the Musicians Gala Reception will be held the same evening from 9-11 p.m. at Mr. Willy’s restaurant on Route 42 in Monticello.

Series One of the program, “Classics of the Ages,” will also be performed the following afternoon, at 3 p.m. Sept. 11 at the Liberty Museum & Arts Center, 46 South Main St. in Liberty.

The event will include outstanding musicians from Sullivan County and the New York City area.

The soloist for the first concert is Lydia Hong, principal second violin of the New York City Ballet Orchestra and a 2009 Juilliard grad who studied under Itzhak Perlman and Donald Weilerstein.

Tickets for Series One are $18 for adults and $15 for seniors. Students with ID are free. Season tickets for three concerts are $50. Gala tickets, at $30, may be purchased online at nesinculturalarts.org, at the door or by mail to NCA, P.O. Box 249, Monticello, NY 12701.

This project is funded in part by a grant from the Sullivan County Plans and Progress Small Grants Program, administered by the Division of Planning and Environmental Management.

Gittel Evangelist

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.